“Managers just want to stick to what they know. The top clubs get the best players and all the young players [at academies] are waiting their chance and hope their chance will come.”

One of the benefits of Hale moving back home is that he gets to spend more time with his six-month old daughter, Mya.

“Fatherhood is amazing,” he continues. “Nobody ever knows what it feels like until you experience it. There was just a point in England where I got homesick and I wanted to see more of my wee girl because they weren’t getting over as much.

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“I’d been playing U23 football for two or three years. I was supposed to go to a few Conference clubs but now I’ve got my own wee family I’d rather go home and play League of Ireland football, get a few first team games under the belt and take it from there. I just want to challenge myself against men and see how I do.

“I know Birmingham got a load of players in during the transfer market… You have to look at it and see if you’re going to get in the team. So I thought I’d go out and get some experience and when I go back [to Birmingham] I’ll be ready, if needed.

“There were a few other Irish League clubs that came in for me but once Derry came in for me I was straight on the phone to Rory.”